David,
For me, it's all about the rifle. I don't believe that you'll come up short with any of the cartridges listed in a hunting situation.
I see what guys write about the heavy, high b.c. bullets and they're not wrong. It's just never mattered in any of my hunting.
I used a bullet that's often referred to as a ping pong ball to kill my first black bear with a .243. One shot, dead right there with some spinning and thrashing.
I see guys bad mouth the .243, but all I can do is refer to my own experience.
There have been times when I wondered if the .243 was enough rifle. Never let it stop a shot, and never been disappointed with any well placed shot.
I do think that the various 6.5s offer a lot, but my experience there is all with rifles owned by others.
I've been pretty impressed with the 7-08/150 ballistic tip.
